Elk Mountains Extravaganza: Part I

By Ann Driggers

What better way to spend the weekend of July 4th than soaking in the beauty of the Elk mountains trail running, mountain biking and hiking! Day 1: A 5 mile trail run to an unnamed high mountain col between the Silver Creek and Avalanche Creek drainages. The wildflowers are just starting to break out though there is plenty of snow above 12,000 feet. Avalanche lilies recently unfurled were a reminder that the snow is still receeding. Beautiful singletrack, switchbacks to the sky and views across the rugged Elk Range as a reward. I was almost in danger of breaking out into a yodel, if I had enough breath. It was so great to be up high again and I'm looking forward to a summer filled with high mountain running.